Snake Bit and Chained
Serving Through Difficulties and Trials All for the Glory of God
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 28:16, 30-31 NLT - When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier. ... For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
OBSERVATION:
Acts 28 brings Paul to Rome. He had long wanted to go there to encourage the believers. They had received his letter and were growing in the Lord. He wanted to see their progress and encourage them.
It would take three months for Paul to reach Rome. During the journey, he was bitten by a deadly snake, preached the gospel, healed the sick, and encouraged the believers, all while under Roman guard.
Three months after landing on the Phoenician island of Malta (which means refuge in Phoenician), they found refuge from the storm, only to face more “storms.” Paul, true to his nature, was serving others by gathering wood to build a fire to warm the other crew and passengers of the wreckage.
Acts 28:3-6 NLT - As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, "A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live." But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn't harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.
How did Paul respond to yet another trial, possibly life-threatening? He shook it off.
Acts 28:16, 30-31 NLT - When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier. ... For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
OBSERVATION:
Acts 28 brings Paul to Rome. He had long wanted to go there to encourage the believers. They had received his letter and were growing in the Lord. He wanted to see their progress and encourage them.
It would take three months for Paul to reach Rome. During the journey, he was bitten by a deadly snake, preached the gospel, healed the sick, and encouraged the believers, all while under Roman guard.
Three months after landing on the Phoenician island of Malta (which means refuge in Phoenician), they found refuge from the storm, only to face more “storms.” Paul, true to his nature, was serving others by gathering wood to build a fire to warm the other crew and passengers of the wreckage.
Acts 28:3-6 NLT - As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, "A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live." But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn't harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.
How did Paul respond to yet another trial, possibly life-threatening? He shook it off.
Paul could take God’s past faithfulness as a promise of future blessing and protection.
By extension, we also see that “Divine Justice” had no more claim against Paul — it had all been satisfied by Jesus’ work on the cross. God’s justice could never harm Paul, nor anyone who has had all his or her sins paid for by the work of Jesus on the cross. – David Guzik.
By extension, we also see that “Divine Justice” had no more claim against Paul — it had all been satisfied by Jesus’ work on the cross. God’s justice could never harm Paul, nor anyone who has had all his or her sins paid for by the work of Jesus on the cross. – David Guzik.
Many of us, myself included, might have given up by now. Yet Paul kept going, preaching the Good News, encouraging others, and serving them, all while chained to a Roman guard.
The only advantage in this situation was that Paul was allowed to live in a house, though he could not leave it. He was permitted to speak with anyone who visited him. For two years, he endured this under Roman guard. Throughout, Paul remained steadfast and used the opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God.
APPLICATION:
Paul has seen some of God's promises for Rome come true. He had finally reached his goal, but it would still be two years before he could speak to Caesar. During those two years, he was chained to a Roman soldier, sometimes free, sometimes bound. Despite all this, he didn't complain and took every opportunity to share the gospel.
Philippians 1:12-14 NLT - And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear.
One person we know who visited Paul was Onesimus, a runaway slave who later became a Christian. Paul wrote a letter to a man named Philemon, urging him to accept Onesimus back as a brother rather than a slave.
The only advantage in this situation was that Paul was allowed to live in a house, though he could not leave it. He was permitted to speak with anyone who visited him. For two years, he endured this under Roman guard. Throughout, Paul remained steadfast and used the opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God.
APPLICATION:
Paul has seen some of God's promises for Rome come true. He had finally reached his goal, but it would still be two years before he could speak to Caesar. During those two years, he was chained to a Roman soldier, sometimes free, sometimes bound. Despite all this, he didn't complain and took every opportunity to share the gospel.
Philippians 1:12-14 NLT - And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear.
One person we know who visited Paul was Onesimus, a runaway slave who later became a Christian. Paul wrote a letter to a man named Philemon, urging him to accept Onesimus back as a brother rather than a slave.
Though Paul could not travel, he could teach and preach to all who came to him — and this he did. He also wrote letters; we have these two years of Roman custody to thank for the letters to the Ephesians, the Philippians, and the Colossians. – David Guzik.
What are you doing amid your current storms, shipwrecks, snakebites, chains, and trials? Are you making the most of them like Paul, or are you discouraged, depressed, and in despair? Do as Paul did. Look up! Jesus is with you.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.
Psalm 121:1-2 NLT - A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!
PRAYER:
Jesus, be glorified in my trials and difficulties. Forgive me for complaining, whining, and crying instead of serving and sharing the Good News. Like Paul, I thank You that Your promises never fail. Even when things get tough, I know You are with me. Thank You that You never leave me nor forsake me.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.
Psalm 121:1-2 NLT - A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!
PRAYER:
Jesus, be glorified in my trials and difficulties. Forgive me for complaining, whining, and crying instead of serving and sharing the Good News. Like Paul, I thank You that Your promises never fail. Even when things get tough, I know You are with me. Thank You that You never leave me nor forsake me.
In ALL things, God works for the good. Do you believe it?
Posted in 06 - Acts
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